N peters



JOHN S'. RANKIN, `OF DET-ROITjM'IC/HIGAN.

Letters Pate-nt No'. 77,655, dated May 5, 1868.

IMPROVED FALLfLAF TABLE.

@te ttetule infant In intigesr-htiits nfmt mit mating mit nf tige rams.

TO WHOM IT MAY CONQERN: s

Be it known that I, JOHN S. RANKIN, of Detroit, in the county of Wayne, and Stats of Michigan, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Fall-Leaf Tables; andI do declare that'tlie following is a true -and Aaccurate description thereof, reference'being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, and being a part of this specification.

Figure 1 is a view .of a section of a fall-leaf tablc,vfrom the under side.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional viewof the same.

Y Like letters indicate like parts in each figure. Y

The object of this invention is to construct a table in such a. manner that the drop-leaf may be raised and secured in position by a self-operating device provided for that purpose; also to dispense witl the ordinary rule-joint, and secure an unbroken right angle ofthe leaf, when down, with the bed or top'of the table.

The leaf A and -top B are jointed by square or right-angle joints with their outer faces orsurfaces. The leaf A is hinged-to the outer ends of the slides C, which'are supported under the top by the screws D, the outer end of said slides passing through the side-rail E, thereby supporting the drop-leaf by hinges F. The slides C are also provided with slots, G, through which pass the screws D, so that the movement of the slides may be l had backward or forward. These screws D also pass through the plates H, the more perfectly to govern and support tbe innerends o f the slides. In the rear ends of these slots are inserted compressed spiral springs N, operating to draw back the slides when theA leaf is down, sc that Ithe outer surface of the leaf will be square with the corner of the table. n f I i To the under side, and near the centre of the outer edge'of the'leaf A, isattached the armI, by a proper hinge, J, which arm, passing through the guides K, is `secured in position, and supported by a pin, L, which -passes through the lower ends of theguides K, which are attached to the siderail E; The inner end of the. arm I is provided with a n'otch `in its lower edge, lwhich, when the leaf is raised to a horizontal position, catches upon the pin L, and is secured in its positioniby the spring M. vBy elevating the inner end of this arm, the notch is disengaged from the pin, and allows the eaf to fall, when it is drawn back, as heretofore described, by the operation of the springs and slides already mentioned. What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. Theslides' C, in connection with the screws D, the plates H, the slots G, and the hinges F, and the spiral springs N, when operating substantially as and for tire purposes described. H i v 2. The combination of the above-named parts with the arm I, hinge J, guide K, pin Ii, spring M, leafA, top B, and side-rail E, when arranged and operating substantially as and for the purposes herein set forth.

J. W. HOUGHTELIN,

H. F. EBERTS. 

